PINELLAS SOFTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR: The PHU pitcher has won a state title and back-to-back Times honors.
By LAURA LEE
Published June 12, 2004
SAFETY HARBOR - Dani Hofer's face never changes.
Behind in the count, a runner on third, a home run just smashed off of her, a loss - no matter the situation, Hofer's stoic mug doesn't flinch. You'd almost think she doesn't care.
"She realizes it's not about winning or losing," Palm Harbor University coach Chuck Poetter said. "It's not the end of the world. She's able to bounce back. You can't rattle her."
Poetter says he never has seen Hofer cry.
Granted, those worrisome occasions are rare for the junior pitcher from PHU. Most times after a game she grants herself the right to smile.
"I do take it personally, but I try not to show it," Hofer said. "I just want to stay composed. I know there's always going to be a next inning, another game."
Hofer, also named the Times' top player last season, put up impressive numbers a year ago with 254 strikeouts and a 0.17 ERA. She took it to another level this season. She was 22-2 with 381 strikeouts, 16 shutouts, and a 0.13 ERA while leading the Hurricanes to a Class 5A state title. She allowed three earned runs, walked seven and averaged 18.6 strikeouts a game. Hofer also led the Hurricanes in hitting at .419 and led the county in doubles (11) and RBIs (36).
People around her say it's simple. Hofer, who turns 17 Monday, is good because she puts in the work. She earns it. Hofer and the rest of the Hurricanes started working toward a state title in August with preseason workouts of running and lifting weights. But she always wanted to do more. She, along with teammate Stephanie Post, came early before practice to run extra laps and sprints. On the way home from practice, she'd ask her father Ed Hofer, one of PHU's assistant coaches, to pull over and let her run the last mile or so home.
"She's a competitor," said Poetter, who first saw Hofer pitch when she was 14. "When I saw her pitch she was one of these kids with huge upsides. She didn't throw exceptionally hard, and didn't have nearly the movement she has now, but she was composed."
Hofer's summer vacation already is over. It was two weeks of lounging on Clearwater Beach and hanging out with friends. Two weeks of walking by the pitching mound in her yard and not picking up a softball. Those two weeks have long passed.
She is back at work in the competitive travel softball season with the Lady Bombers. Her summer regimen of running a few miles a day, swimming laps in the pool and doing crunches until it burns has commenced. And it will continue until school starts and the Hurricanes are getting ready to make another title run.
"I just continued working as hard as I did last year," Hofer said. "I just want to improve for next year."
SPECIAL K
Dani Hofer faced 554 batters this season and struck out 381. Though she'll take a K any way she can get it, this is her favorite.
FIRST PITCH: Curveball outside
SECOND PITCH: Riseball inside
THIRD PITCH: Either a wasted pitch that starts on the outside right corner and curves wide, or a curveball inside.
"I feel so comfortable with (the first two pitches) it gets them thinking. ... And when they start thinking I have them right where I want them."
ALL-COUNTY SOFTBALL TEAM
FIRST TEAM
P Bree Spence, Countryside, Sr. 19-3, 0.48 ERA for region finalist Cougars
P Ally May, East Lake, Sr. 160 K's, good speed, lots of close losses
C Kristina Hilberth, Palm Harbor U., Jr. Mobile and very quick off the plate
IF Alison Savarese, Seminole, So. .402, 25 RBI, tough at third base
IF GiOnna DiSalvatore, Countryside, Fr. Strong debut, .415 led Cougars in batting
IF Tara Toscano, Palm Harbor U., So. .364, leadoff hitter, 23 runs for state champs
IF Sarah Yates, Countryside, Jr. Provided big defense for 26-3 Cougars
OF Ally Kidman, Countryside, Jr. Came on strong in postseason for Cougars
OF Heidi Agar, Palm Harbor U., Jr. Led Hurricanes in game-winning hits, 15 RBI
OF Heather Wiley, Seminole, Sr. Hit .443 for the 23-4 Warhawks
DH Lisa Hasson, Seminole, Sr. .436, leader from mound, plate and field
UT Natalie Bale, Seminole, Jr. 10-1, 0.50 ERA as pitcher, solid at first base
SECOND TEAM
P Dana Aldrich, Tarpon Springs, Sr.
P Michelle Tatlock, Osceola, Sr.
C Shannan Tyson, Seminole, Sr.
IF Nikki Delandy, Countryside, Sr.
IF Holly Elliott, Osceola, Sr.
IF Lyndsie Estes, East Lake, Jr.
IF Christal Kotchman, Seminole, Jr.
OF Kallan Casey, Countryside, Sr.
OF Carly Donovan, Tarpon Springs, So.
OF Tanya Scaringe, Northeast, Sr.
DH Joy Fuller, Clearwater, So.
UT Morgan Hughart, Boca Ciega, Sr.
HONORABLE MENTION
Boca Ciega - Sara Beth Myers, Allie Cooper; Clearwater - Faith Fuller, Megan Monnier; Clearwater Central Catholic - Dominique Tota, Amanday Dewberry; Countryside - Alyssa Allbritten, Jessica Byrn, Kit Dunbar; Dixie Hollins - Shayna Ottenbacher, Jessica Thomas, Chelsea Sunseri, Ashley Smith, Ashley Carr; Dunedin - Tina Ward; East Lake - Amanda O'Dell; Gibbs - Michelle Newton; Keswick Christian - Rachel Montgomery, Raquel Williams; Lakeside Christian - Ashley Davis, Rebekah Morgan, Lauren Dugan; Northeast - Brittany Dubois, Stephanie Davies, Lindsay McGory, Danielle Seibert, April Varner; Northside Christian - Ashley Ogorek, Danielle Crisco, Emily Austin; Osceola - Hannah Bouchey, Kim Dupper, Jenna Pine; Palm Harbor U. - Elysha Agen, Jenni Brandon, Crystal Eubanks, Stephanie Loza; Pinellas Park - Brittany Bjorn, Heather Jones, Sonyalie Pantojas; St. Petersburg - Caitlin Cornette; St. Petersburg Catholic - Alecia Fudge, Stephanie Giparas, Lauren Timberlake, Brittany Stahl; Seminole - Alexis Stilwell, Jennifer Taeuber; Tarpon Springs - Melissa Mennone, Courtney Wallace.
